MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony yesterday urged local cyclists to work as a team and not look at individual successes.

The minister made the call while delivering the feature address at the presentation ceremony for the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) 32nd Annual Three-Stage Cycle Road Race which concluded yesterday on Homestretch Avenue.
Addressing cyclists, parents of cyclists and supporters of the sport at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, just after the conclusion of the third stage yesterday, Dr Anthony stated that in order to register a faster time for the event club members need to work as a team “while we know individuals want the glory of winning, there must be team work.”
Minister Anthony recalled that when the event was first staged in 1983 the winner (Bissoon Pharbudin) returned an overall time of just over eight hours, but that time has been dwindling over the years.
Dr Anthony congratulated the participants and said he was pleased that so many took part in the event and that there were no issues with the discipline of the athletes.
He stressed that if the local cyclists are to compete at the international level, they must work harder and they must work as a team and not as individuals.
“I don’t feel we’re operating as a team, so we have to do just that; work on getting a team spirit,” Dr Anthony declared.
He said to this end, a special incentive will be given for the team that works best as a team during the Annual Five-Stage Run For Life race which will be held later in the year.
Also speaking at the presentation ceremony was Director of Sport Neil Kumar who congratulated the participants and noted that the event was a historic one as it attracted the largest number of registrants since its inception. He noted also that the race attracted 85 starters, 77 of whom started stage two and 53 faced the starter for the final stage.
Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) president Cheryl Thompson also congratulated the participants and said it was a very special occasion since the event is now in its 32nd year.
She said it was a great pleasure for the GCF to work in tandem with the NSC and the Sports ministry to make the event the success it was.
Thompson urged the local cyclists to continue to strive for success.
The event was won by Barbados’ Darren Matthews of Team Coco, second was Guyana’s Geron Williams, third Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, fourth Alanzo Greaves, fifth Orville Hinds and sixth Mauricio Robeiro.
Akeem Arthur won the junior category ahead of Michael Anthony, while Robin Persaud was first among the veterans. Second was Junior Niles and third, Stephen Fernandes.